Clinical Farnborough Win First Game of The Season

Farnborough won this opening game of the 2017/18 season and, though not through effort or desire, Alton helped. Simple errors, some unforced, led to break away tries and frustration for an Alton team who were making ground and competing well at set piece.

However, with four 1st team debuts, and the return of 2 young, dynamic workaholics in the backrow, the match showed that there is a lot to look forward to this season. The debutants pleasingly ranged in age and experience. Young Oscar Moseley started on the wing and will have been frustrated by his lack of ball but, with his pace tried and tested in the Colts and our 2nd XV, there are points out there awaiting him this season! Ben Gardner had a fine first experience of senior rugby punching his weight and more in the scrum and enjoying his time flying up in the line. Lots to come from this exciting young second row.

Mathew Chapman is a seasoned campaigner and his strength and guile in the scrums and line were key in giving us a stable base to work from. Then our fourth debutant of the afternoon was the 2s legend Sammy Bridger. Playing on the wing for us, he made it a try scoring debut to boot. Rufus Bevan and Ali Dow have returned this year and will be a key part to our pack. They both had very busy games competing hard on the deck with Ali getting some fine arrows into the line. Ed Thomas, our flexible 10/9, had another assured game, smashing into and being late tackled by people twice his size, but always getting straight up like water off the proverbial duck’s back!

So credit to Farnborough for being so clinical in their finishing - they moved the ball quickly and exposed the gaps offered. However, ARFC can still look forward to great things – particularly as several our lads who are off to University (such as Ed Thomas, Al George, Josh Samways and Reece Jenkins) are dedicated enough to come back whenever they have a free weekend and will be supported by the Club in doing so. Brilliant dedication and example being set there by the younger members of our senior squad.